Method and system for end-to-end management of energy efficient networking protocols

ABSTRACT

Aspects of a method and system for end-to-end management of energy efficient networking protocols are provided. In this regard, a path between two network nodes may be determined and one or more messages may be generated. The one or more messages may be communicated to one or more network nodes along the determined path and may configure an EEN control policy and/or one or more (EEN) parameters in those network nodes. The one or more generated messages may comprise a distinct marking that may, upon detection by the network nodes along the determined path, trigger configuration of the EEN control policy and/or EEN parameters within the one or more network nodes. The one or more messages may be may be utilized to enable and disable EEN in one or more network nodes along the path.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This patent application is a continuation of non-provisional applicationSer. No. 12/571,208, filed Sep. 30, 2009, which makes reference to,claims priority to and claims benefit from provisional application No.61/184,269, filed on Jun. 4, 2009.

Non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/571,208 also makes reference tonon-provisional application Ser. No. 12/015,671, filed on Jan. 17, 2008.

Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to networking. Morespecifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a methodand system for end-to-end management of energy efficient networkingprotocols.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Communications networks and in particular Ethernet networks, arebecoming an increasingly popular means of exchanging data of varioustypes and sizes for a variety of applications. In this regard, Ethernetnetworks are increasingly being utilized to carry voice, data, andmultimedia traffic. Accordingly more and more devices are being equippedto interface to Ethernet networks. Broadband connectivity includinginternet, cable, phone and VOIP offered by service providers has led toincreased traffic and more recently, migration to Ethernet networking.Much of the demand for Ethernet connectivity is driven by a shift toelectronic lifestyles involving desktop computers, laptop computers, andvarious handheld devices such as smart phones and PDA's. Applicationssuch as search engines, reservation systems and video on demand that maybe offered at all hours of a day and seven days a week, have becomeincreasingly popular. As an increasing number of portable and/orhandheld devices are enabled for Ethernet communications, battery lifemay be a concern when communicating over Ethernet networks. Accordingly,ways of reducing power consumption when communicating over electronicnetworks may be needed.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention asset forth in the remainder of the present application with reference tothe drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary network in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating discovery and configuration of anetwork path utilizing end-to-end messages, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates configuration and/or management of energy efficientparameters along a network path utilizing a plurality of point-to-pointmessages, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2C illustrates configuration and/or management of energy efficientparameters along a network path utilizing cascaded messages, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating end-to-end configuration and/ormanagement of energy efficient networking (EEN) parameters, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and systemfor end-to-end management of energy efficient networking protocols. Invarious embodiments of the invention, a path between two network nodesmay be determined and one or more messages for configuring one or moreenergy efficient networking (EEN) parameters along the determinednetwork path may be generated. The one or more messages may becommunicated to the various nodes along the determined path. The one ormore generated messages may comprise a distinct marking that may, upondetection by network nodes along the determined path, triggerconfiguration of the one or more EEN parameters within the one or morenetwork nodes. The one or more messages may comprise one or more fieldsdefined by the IEEE 802.1Qat standard, and one or more fields thatconvey information for configuring EEN parameters along the determinedpath. The one or more messages may be communicated in accordance withthe simple network management protocol (SNMP). The one or more messagesmay be communicated in accordance with logical link discovery protocol(LLDP) or other OSI layer 2 protocols.

The path may be determined via communication of one or more packetsalong the path, where information identifying EEN capabilities of nodesalong the determined path may be inserted by the network nodes along thedetermined path as the one or more packets traverse the determined path.In some instances, the EEN parameters may be stored in a PHY of each ofsaid network nodes along the determined path. In some instances, the EENparameters may be stored in devices associated with higher OSI layers.The one or more EEN parameters may be configured based on applicationsrunning on the first network node and/or applications running on thesecond network node. The network nodes may comprise end-systems such ascomputers, servers, and set-top-boxes. The network nodes may compriseintermediary nodes such as switches and routers. The one or more EENparameters may be configured based on quality of service required fordata to be communicated over the determined path. The one or more EENparameters may be configured based on resource reservation packetscommunicated along the determined path. The one or more parameters maycomprise a parameter that controls whether EEN is enabled or disabled inone or more of the network nodes.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary network in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1A there is shown anetwork 100 comprising network nodes 102, 104 a, 104 b, and 106. Thenetwork node 102 may comprise an end-system such as, for example, adesktop computer, a laptop computer, a set-top-box, or a smart phone.The network nodes 104 a and 104 b may comprise, for example, gateways,routers, and/or switches. The network node 106 may comprise anend-system such as, for example, a mass storage device, a set-top-box, amainframe computer, or a personal computer. Each of the network nodes102, 104 a, 104 b, and 106 may comprise a corresponding one ofnetworking subsystems 130 a-130 d, a corresponding one of processors 132a-132 d, a corresponding one of digital signal processors (DSPs) 134a-134 d, and a corresponding one of memories 136 a-136 d.

The networking subsystems 130 a-130 d may each comprise suitable logic,circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to handlecommunication of information with other network nodes via one or morecommunication media such as copper and/or optical fiber. Each of thenetworking subsystems 130 a-130 d may comprise, for example, a mediaaccess controller (MAC) and a physical layer transceiver (PHY). Each ofthe networking subsystems 130 a-130 d may be operable to implementEthernet protocols, such as those in the IEEE 802.3 standards, forexample. The networking subsystems 130 a-130 d may each be capable ofcommunicating at one or more standard rates such as 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1Gbps, 40 Gbps, 10 Gbps, and/or 100 Gbps (e.g., 10GBASE-KX4 and/or10GBASE-KR); and/or non-standard rates such as 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps, 6 Gbps,and 20 Gbps. The networking subsystems 130 a-130 d may each be operableto communicate over multiple channels and/or over a serial interface. Insome instances, the networking subsystems 130 a-130 d may each comprisea pluggable module. Exemplary form factors for the pluggable modules maycomprise SFP, SFP+, XENPAK, X2, XFP and XPAK modules. Also, thenetworking subsystems 130 a-130 d may support transmission and/orreception at a high(er) data in one direction and transmission and/orreception at a low(er) data rate in the other direction.

Additionally, each of the networking subsystems 130 a-130 d, or a PHY(not shown) within each of the networking subsystems 130 a-130 d, may beoperable to implement one or more energy efficient techniques, which maybe referred to generally as energy efficient networking (EEN), or in thespecific case of Ethernet, as energy efficient Ethernet (EEE). Forexample, the networking subsystems 130 a-130 d may be operable tosupport low power idle (LPI) and/or sub-rating, also referred to assubset PHY, techniques. LPI may generally refer a family of techniqueswhere, instead of transmitting conventional IDLE symbols during periodsof inactivity, the networking subsystems 130 a-130 d may remain silentand/or communicate signals other than conventional IDLE symbols.Sub-rating, or sub-set PHY, may generally refer to a family oftechniques where the PHYs are reconfigurable, in real-time or nearreal-time, to communicate at different data rates.

Furthermore, the network node 102, the network nodes 104 a and 104 b,and/or the network node 106 may be operable to implement other energysaving features that may not be associated with networking functions. Inthis regard, various aspects of the invention may be utilized inconjunction with other energy saving features. For example, monitorsand/or hard drives may be powered down at various times in order to saveenergy and aspects of the invention may be utilized to communicateand/or manage such functions.

Algorithms, heuristics, or other factors that determine how the EENtechniques are utilized or implemented are referred to herein as the EENcontrol policy. In this regard, a network nodes' EEN control policy may,for example, control when the network node transitions into an energysaving state, when the device transitions out of an energy saving state,how much data the device may buffer while in an energy saving state, andcontrol when one or more EEN techniques are enabled or disabled.Accordingly, each of the networking subsystems 130 a-130 d, or PHYstherein, may comprise a management information base (MIB) 120 and an EENmodule 122 for implementing an EEN control policy. Each of the MIBs 120a-120 d may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or codethat may be operable to store and/or manage one or more networkingparameters. The network parameters may be utilized to controlcommunications of the corresponding one of the networking subsystems 130a-130 d. Each of the EEN modules 122 a-122 d may comprise suitablelogic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable toimplement, utilizing one or more EEN parameters stored in acorresponding one of the MIBs 120 a-120 d, an EEN control policy.

Parameters that may be stored in one or more of the MIBs 120 a-120 d maycomprise, for example, coefficients or other values for negotiating datarates of a network link and/or maintaining synchronization on thenetwork link. Moreover, in various embodiments of the invention, variousparameters associated with implementing EEN may be stored in the MIBs120 a-120 d. For example, one or more of the parameters may determineand/or indicate whether EEN is enabled in a network node. Furthermore,each of a plurality of such parameters, or bits of such parameters, maycorrespond to a particular port, or other portion of a network node. Inthis manner, EEN may be enabled and disabled on, for example, aport-by-port basis.

Additional EEN parameters stored in or managed via the MIB 120 a maycomprise: a parameter that indicates EEN techniques (such as LPI andsubset PHY) supported by the network node 102; a parameter thatindicates subset PHY data rates supported by the network node 102; oneor more networking parameters that indicate an amount of time requiredfor the network node 102 to transition into one or more energy savingmodes; one or more networking parameters that indicate an amount of timerequired for the network node 102 to transition out of one or moreenergy saving modes; a parameter that indicates whether the network node102 is operating in an energy saving mode; a parameter that indicateswhether an EEN transition or other event is scheduled to occur in thenetwork node 102; an amount of time for which the network node 102 mayoperate in an energy-saving mode; one or more parameters that indicatelatency that may be tolerated; one or more parameters that may beutilized to classify packets based on energy that may be utilized forrouting and/or forwarding those packets; one or more parameters that maybe utilized to classify packets based on QoS required for those packets;one or more parameters that indicate which packets and/or traffic maywake a device from an energy-saving mode; one or more parameters thatindicate which packets and/or traffic may put a device into anenergy-saving mode; and parameters that determine how much data may bebuffered while operating in an energy saving mode.

In various embodiments of the invention, different parameters may beassociated with different ports or connections of a network node.Similarly, multiple values of a parameter corresponding to multipleports or connections may be stored in a network node. In this manner,EEN may be controlled asymmetrically such that EEN parameters associatedwith uplink traffic may be different than EEN parameters associated witha downlink traffic. For example, EEN may be disabled in one directionalong a path and enabled in the other direction along the same path.

The DSPs 134 a-134 d may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces,and/or code that may be operable to process and/or handle digitalbitstreams. The DSPs may be operable to perform complex computationsand/or algorithms to, for example, encrypt, decrypt, encode, and decodedigital signals. In this regard, the DSPs 134 a-134 d may each processor handle packets and/or signals received from a corresponding one ofthe networking subsystems 130 a-130 d. Similarly, the DSPs 134 a-134 dmay each process or handle packets and/or signals to be provided to acorresponding one of the networking subsystems 130 a-130 d fortransmission. The DSPs 134 a-134 d may also provide control and/orfeedback information to the networking subsystems 130 a-130 d based onreceived and/or to-be-transmitted packets or signals. The DSPs 134 a-134d may each communicate information and/or data to a corresponding one ofthe processors 132 a-132 d and/or a corresponding one of the memories136 a-136 d. Information communicated from one of the DSPs 134 a-134 dto a corresponding one of processors 132 a-132 d may be extracted from,or generated based on, packets or signals received via a correspondingone of networking subsystems 130 a-130 d. Moreover, each the DSPs 134a-134 d may receive information from a corresponding one of theprocessors 132 a-132 d and/or from a corresponding one of the memories136 a-136 d. Each of the DSPs 134 a-134 d may process the informationand convey the processed information to a corresponding one of thenetwork subsystems 130 a-130 d for transmission.

Each of the memories 136 a-136 d may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,interfaces, and/or code that may enable storage of data, code, and/orother information utilized by a corresponding one of the network nodes102, the devices 104 a and 104 b, and the host 106. For example, each ofthe memories 136 a-136 d may be utilized for storing processed datagenerated by a corresponding one of the DSPs 134 a-134 d and/or by acorresponding one of the processors 132 a-132 d. The memories 136 a-136d may also be utilized to store information such as executable codeand/or configuration information that may be utilized to control theoperation of the network node 102, network nodes 104 a and 104 b, andthe host 106. Such configuration information may, for example, compriseEEN parameters that may control implementation of one or more EENtechniques and/or policies.

The processors 132 a-132 d may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to perform control and/ordata processing operations within the network node 102, the networkingdevices 104 a and 104 b, and the host 106. Each of the processors 132a-132 d may be operable to control at least a portion of a correspondingone of the networking subsystems 130 a-130 d, the DSPs 134 a-134 d, andthe memories 136 a-136 d. The processors 132 a-132 d may be operable togenerate at least one signal for controlling operations within thenetwork node 102, the networking devices 104 a and 104 b, and the host106. The processors 132 a-132 d may also be operable to executeapplications that may be utilized by the network node 102, thenetworking devices 104 a and 104 b, and the host 106. For example, theprocessors 132 a-132 d may be operable to execute applications that mayenable displaying and/or interacting with content received via thenetworking subsystems 130 a-130 d.

In operation, an EEN control policy of the network 100 may be utilizedto optimize energy efficient and performance across the network 100.Accordingly, various components of the network 100 may exchangeinformation, and may be configured based on the exchanged information,such that energy efficiency and performance are optimized. In thisregard, EEN parameters in the MIBs 120 a-120 d may be managed via anexchange of messages between two or more of the network node 102, thenetworking devices 104 a and 104 b, and the host 106. For example, EENparameters values may be determined or configured based on applicationsrunning on the network node 102 and/or the host 106, and/or based oninformation to be exchanged between the network node 102 and the host106. Similarly, the EEN modules 122 a may be configured based onapplications running on the network node 102 and/or the host 106, and/orbased on information to be exchanged between the network node 102 andthe host 106. Management of the EEN parameters along a network path viamessages generated by a network node may, for example, be utilized toenable and disable EEN along the path.

Although, the configuration of the nodes is described with regard toconfiguring EEN parameters, the invention is not limited toconfiguration and/or management of the parameters. In this regard,aspects of the invention may enable configuring and/or exchanging theEEN control policies of the various nodes in the network 100. That is,aspects of the invention may also enable configuring and/or managing theEEN control policies that make use of the EEN parameters.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating discovery and configuration of anetwork path utilizing end-to-end messages, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2A, there is shown thenetwork 100 described with respect to FIG. 1. In FIG. 2A, there may beapplications 108 and 118 running, respectively, on the network node 102and the host 106.

In operation, the application 108 may generate messages 109 and send themessages 109 to the host 106. The messages 109 and 117 may enabledetermination of the path 101 traversed by the messages 109 and 117,determination of characteristics and/or capabilities of the path 101,and configuration of EEN parameters in the network node 102, the networknodes 104 and 104 b, and the host 106.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the network node 102 maygenerate a message 109 and send the message 109 to the host 106. As themessage 109 traverses the path 101, the network node 102 and thenetworking devices 104 a and 104 b may insert or append information tothe message 109. In this regard, information appended and/or inserted bya network node may indicate whether the node supports EEN, and if so,which EEN techniques or protocols the node supports. The host 106 mayreceive the message 109 and utilize the information appended to themessage 109 to determine the path 101 and/or characteristics, includingEEN characteristics, of the path 101. Similarly, the host 106 maygenerate a message 117 and send the message 117 to the network node 102.As the message 117 traverses the path 101, the host 106 and thenetworking devices 104 a and 104 b may insert or append information tothe message 117. In this regard, information appended and/or inserted bya network node may indicate whether the node supports EEN, and if so,which EEN techniques or protocols the node supports. The network node102 may receive the message 117 and utilize the information appended tothe message 117 to determine the path 101 and/or characteristics,including EEN characteristics, of the path 101.

In another embodiment of the invention, the path 101 may be determinedover time as packets are forwarded along the network. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the path 101 may be determined based onmanual configuration by a network administrator. In this regard, anetwork administrator may program one or more tables or data structuresinto the nodes of the network 100. Accordingly, the applications 108 and118 may reference such tables or data structures stored either locallyin the network node 102 and/or in a remote network node when determininga path traversed by a datastream

In another embodiment of the invention, the path 101 may be determinedbased on information obtained from a centralized management entity orserver. In this regard, the network configuration or topology may bedownloaded from such a management entity or server.

Although FIG. 1 is described with regard to the path 101 between twonetwork nodes, aspects of the invention may be utilized for any networkpath between any two network nodes that operate at OSI layer 2 or higherOSI layers.

Subsequent to determining the nodes along the path 101, the application108 may generate one or more messages 109 to configure one or more EENparameters along the path 101. Similarly, the application 118 maygenerate one or more messages 117 to configure one or more EENparameters along the path 101. Configuring the EEN parameters maycomprise, for example, enabling and/or disabling EEN along the path 101.In various embodiments of the invention, the messages 109 and 117 may bedistinctly marked. The marking may comprise, for example, a distinctEthertype and/or frame format. In this regard, upon detecting such amarked message 109 or 117, a node along the path 101 may configure itsEEN module 120 and/or its MIB 122 based on the information conveyed viathe message 109 or 117.

In various embodiments of the invention, the messages 109 and 117 maycomprise fields defined by IEEE 802.1Qat—IEEE Standard for Local andMetropolitan Area Networks: Virtual Bridged Local AreaNetworks—Amendment 9: Stream Reservation Protocol (SRP). Additionally,the messages 109 and 117 may comprise one or more EEN fields forconveying EEN parameter values and/or other information for configuringEEN parameters along the path 101. In an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, the EEN fields may be modifiable and/or expandable. Forexample, each node along the path 101 may append its EEN capabilitiesand/or a configuration of its EEN parameters to the EEN field(s) of themessages 109 and/or 117 prior to forwarding the messages 109 and/or 117.In this manner, the messages 109 and/or 117 may accumulate pathinformation as they propagate along the path 101 and, upon reaching annetwork node 102 or 108, such information may be extracted to determinethe nodes of the path 101, the configuration of nodes along the path101, and/or the capabilities of the nodes along the path 101.

Additionally, after the path 101, its configuration, and/or itscapabilities are known, one or more messages 109 and/or 117 comprisingIEEE 802.1Qat defined fields and EEN fields may be communicated toconfigure EEN parameters along the path 101. In this regard, themessages 109 and 117 may configure EEN parameters along the path 101 inmuch the same manner as conventional SRP packets would reserve resourcesalong the path 101. Details of a similar use of stream reservationprotocol packets can be found in the above referenced U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/015,671 filed on Jan. 17, 2008.

In some embodiments of the invention, EEN parameters along the path 101may be configured based on available resources along the path 101 andreservations desired to be made along the path 101. In this regard, whena request to reserve resources along the path 101 is received, each nodealong the path 101 may determine if and/or how EEN may be implementedwhile honoring the reservation. For example, because various EENtechniques may increase latency along the path 101, EEN may be disabledalong the path 101 in instances that resources along the path 101 arebeing reserved for traffic that requires low latency. In this regard,EEN parameters may be configured based on quality of service parametersassociated with data streams communicated along the path 101. Exemplaryquality of service parameter comprise maximum tolerable latency, maximumtolerable packet jitter, minimum instantaneous data rate, minimumaverage data rate, maximum packet drop rate, and maximum bit-error rate.

In some embodiments of the invention, EEN parameters along the path 101may be configured periodically or cyclically. For example, EEN mayperiodically or cyclically be enabled and disabled in one or more nodesof the network path 101. That is, during a time interval, the one ormore nodes may cycle in and out of an energy efficient state one or moretimes.

Although FIG. 2A depicts a simplified network path, aspects of theinvention may be utilized with networks of any topology and/or withpaths that traverse multiple networks. In this regard, in instances thatthe 109 and 117 cross one or more network boundaries, the messages 109and 117 may be encapsulated in one or more protocol data unitsassociated with one or more higher OSI layer protocols.

FIG. 2B illustrates configuration and/or management of energy efficientparameters along a network path utilizing a plurality of point-to-pointmessages, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referringto FIG. 2B, there is shown the network 100 described with respect toFIGS. 1 and 2A.

In operation, subsequent to determination of the network path 101between the application 108 and 118, the network node 102 may generate aplurality of EEN control messages 211-217 to configure EEN parameters inthe devices along the network path 101. In this regard, the network node102 may generate a EEN control message for each node along the path 101.In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the messages 211-217 may begenerated and/or communicated in adherence to a management protocol suchas SNMP. Although FIG. 2B is described with regard to messages 211-217being generated and communicated by the network node 102, the inventionis not so limited. In this regard, messages such as the messages 211-217may be generated and communicated by the host 106. Similarly, thenetwork nodes 104 a and 104 b may, in various embodiments of theinvention, be operable to generate and communicate messages forconfiguring EEN parameters along the path 101. In this regard, thenetwork nodes 104 a and 104 b may desire or need to configure EENparameters along the path 101 based on characteristics and/or conditionsof other network paths (not shown) which the network nodes 104 a and 104b are a part of. For example, the network node 104 a may be heavilyloaded by a high priority data stream being communicated along a networkpath 250 (not shown) and thus EEN protocols and/or techniques that maybe implemented by the network node 104 a may be limited based on thetraffic on path 250.

Although FIG. 2B depicts a simplified network path, aspects of theinvention may be utilized with networks of any topology and/or withpaths that traverse multiple networks. In this regard, in instances thatone or more of the messages 211, 216, 215, 217, 219 cross one or morenetwork boundaries, the one or more of the messages 211, 216, 215, 217,219 may be encapsulated in one orm ore protocol data units associatedwith one or more high OSI layers.

FIG. 2C illustrates configuration and/or management of energy efficientparameters along a network path utilizing cascaded messages, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2C,there is shown the network 100 described with respect to FIGS. 1, 2A,and 2B.

In operation, the application 108 may generate a message 221 toconfigure EEN parameters in the MIB 120 a of the network node 102. Inresponse to the configuration of the MIB 120 a, the EEN module 122 a maygenerate a corresponding message 223 for configuring the next node inthe path 101, which is network node 104 a. The message 221 may bereceived in the network node 104 a and parameters in the MIB 120 b maybe configured based on the message 223. In response to the configurationof the MIB 120 b, the EEN module 122 b may generate a correspondingmessage 225 for configuring the next node in the path 101, which isnetwork node 104 b. The message 225 may be received in the network node104 b and parameters in the MIB 120 c may be configured based on themessage 225. In response to the configuration of the MIB 120 c, the EENmodule 122 c may generate a corresponding message 227 for configuringthe next node in the path 101, which is host 106. In response to theconfiguration of MICB 120 d, the EEN module 122 d may notify theapplication 118 of the new configuration.

In this manner, the application 108 may trigger cascaded messages forconfiguring EEN along the network path 101. In various embodiments ofthe invention, the messages 221-229 may be, for example, physical layersignals and/or packetized data. In some embodiments of the invention themessages 221-229 may be communicated in accordance with LLDP or similarprotocols. In this regard, one or more type length value (TLV) fieldsfor communicating EEN parameters may be defined and may be utilized formanaging the EEN parameters and/or EEN control policies of the networknodes 102, 104 a, 104 b, and 106.

Although FIG. 2C is described with reference to a configurationinitiated by the network node 102, the invention is not so limited. Inthis regard, the host 106 and/or the network nodes 104 a and 104 b maybe operable to trigger a configuration of EEN parameters along the path101.

Although FIG. 2C depicts a simplified network connection, aspects of theinvention may be utilized with networks of any topology and/or withpaths that traverse multiple networks. In this regard, in instances thatone or more of the messages 211, 216, 215, 217, 219 cross one or morenetwork boundaries, the one or more of the messages 211, 216, 215, 217,219 may be encapsulated in one or more protocol data units associatedwith one or more high OSI layers.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating end-to-end configuration and/ormanagement of EEN parameters, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 3, the exemplary steps may begin with step302 when there is a datastream to be communicated between theapplication 108 and the application 118. For example, the application108 may request data from the application 118 and it may be desired todeliver the data in an energy efficient manner. Subsequent to step 302,the exemplary steps may advance to step 304.

In step 304, the network path 101, or a portion thereof, over which thedata is to be communicated, from the application 118 to the application108, may be determined. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, AVBprotocols and/or modified AVB protocols may be utilized to determine thenetwork path. In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, thenetwork path 101 may be determined based on tables generated over timeas packets are communicated in the network 100 and/or tables set up by anetwork administrator. In addition to determining the path, the EENcapabilities and/or configuration of the nodes along the path may alsobe determined. Subsequent to step 304, the exemplary steps may advanceto step 306.

In step 306, the application 108 and/or the application 118 may generateone or more message to configure, or trigger configuration, of EENparameters along the path 101. For example, the data requested from theapplication 118 by the application 108 may require low-latency, and thusmay want to ensure that one or more EEN protocols do not delaytransmission of the data along the path 101. Accordingly, theapplication 118 and/or the application 108 may generate one or moremessages to disable EEN along the path 101. The generated messages maybe similar to the messages 109 and 117 described with respect to FIG.2A, the messages 211-217 described with respect to FIG. 2B, and/or themessage 221 described with respect to FIG. 2C. In this manner,configuration of the path 101 may occur as described with respect to oneor more of FIGS. 2A-2C. Subsequent to step 306, the exemplary steps mayadvance to step 308.

In step 308, the data may be communicated along the configured path 101.In this regard, the communication of the data may be optimized withregard to performance and energy efficiency.

Aspects of a method and system for end-to-end management of energyefficient networking protocols are provided. In an exemplary embodimentof the invention, a path 101 between two network nodes 102 and 106 maybe determined and one or more messages 109 (FIG. 2A), 117 (FIG. 2A),211-217 (FIG. 2B), and/or 221-229 (FIG. 2C) for configuring one or more(EEN) parameters along the determined network path 101 may be generated.The one or more messages 109, 117, 211-217, and/or 221-229 may becommunicated to one or more of the nodes 102, 104 a, 104 b, and/or 106along the determined path 101. The one or more generated messages 109,117, 211-217, and/or 221-229 may comprise a distinct marking that may,upon detection by the network nodes 102, 104 a, 104 b, and/or 106,trigger configuration of the one or more EEN parameters within the oneor more network nodes 102, 104 a, 104 b, and/or 106. The one or moremessages 109, 117, 211-217, and/or 221-229 may comprise one or morefields defined by the IEEE 802.1Qat standard, and one or more fieldsthat convey information for configuring EEN parameters along thedetermined path 101. The one or more messages may be communicated inaccordance with a network management protocol, for example, the simplenetwork management protocol (SNMP). The one or more messages may becommunicated in accordance with logical link discovery protocol (LLDP)and may comprise one or more EEN TLVs.

The path 101 may be determined via communication of one or more packetsalong the path, wherein information identifying EEN capabilities of thenodes 102, 104 a, 104 b, and/or 106 along the determined path 101 may beinserted by the network nodes 102, 104 a, 104 b, and/or 106 along thedetermined path 101 as the one or more packets traverse the determinedpath 101. The EEN parameters may be stored in a PHY of each of thenetwork nodes 102, 104 a, 104 b, and/or 106 along the determined path101. The one or more EEN parameters may be configured based on theapplication 108 running on the first network node 102 and/or theapplication 118 running on the second network node 106. The one or moreEEN parameters may be configured based on quality of service requiredfor data to be communicated over the determined path 101. The one ormore EEN parameters may be configured based on resource reservationpackets communicated along the determined path 101. The one or moreparameters may comprise a parameter that controls whether EEN is enabledor disabled in one or more of the nodes 102, 104 a, 104 b, and/or 106.

Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine and/orcomputer readable storage and/or medium, having stored thereon, amachine code and/or a computer program having at least one code sectionexecutable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machineand/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for end-to-endmanagement of energy efficient networking protocols.

Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software. The presentinvention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least onecomputer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elementsare spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind ofcomputer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methodsdescribed herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware andsoftware may be a general-purpose computer system with a computerprogram that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computersystem such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of aset of instructions intended to cause a system having an informationprocessing capability to perform a particular function either directlyor after either or both of the following: a) conversion to anotherlanguage, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different materialform.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: generating, by a firstnetwork node, a message having a second network node as a destination,the generated message including one or more energy efficient networkingparameters for use by an intermediate network node along a path betweenthe first network node and the second network node; and transmitting, bythe first network node, the generated message to an intermediate networknode on the path between the first network node and the second networknode for configuration of an energy saving operation of the intermediatenetwork node to accommodate application communication between the firstnetwork node and the second network node.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the generated message includes information that enables theintermediate network node to enable or disable an energy efficiencyfeature of the intermediate network node.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the generated message includes information that enables theintermediate network node to adjust an energy efficiency feature of theintermediate network node that impacts latency of application datacommunicated between the first network node and the second network node.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the generated message includesinformation that enables the intermediate network node to adjust anamount of time for the intermediate network node to transition into orout of an energy saving mode.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thegenerated message includes information that enables the intermediatenetwork node to adjust when the intermediate network node can enter intoor out of an energy saving mode.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thegenerated message includes information that enables the intermediatenetwork node to adjust an amount of time that the intermediate networknode can remain in an energy saving mode.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the generated message includes information that enables theintermediate network node to adjust an energy efficiency feature of theintermediate network node that impacts a quality of service ofapplication data communicated between the first network node and thesecond network node.
 8. A first network node, comprising: a controllerconfigured to generate a message having a second network node as adestination, the generated message including one or more energyefficient networking parameters for use by an intermediate network nodealong a path between the first network node and the second network node;and a transmitter configured to transmit the generated message to theintermediate network node on the path between the first network node andthe second network node for configuration of an energy saving operationof the intermediate network node to accommodate applicationcommunication between the first network node and the second networknode.
 9. The first network node of claim 8, wherein the generatedmessage includes information that enables the intermediate network nodeto enable or disable an energy efficiency feature of the intermediatenetwork node.
 10. The first network node of claim 8, wherein thegenerated message includes information that enables the intermediatenetwork node to adjust an energy efficiency feature of the intermediatenetwork node that impacts latency of application data communicatedbetween the first network node and the second network node.
 11. Thefirst network node of claim 8, wherein the generated message includesinformation that enables the intermediate network node to adjust anamount of time for the intermediate network node to transition into orout of an energy saving mode.
 12. The first network node of claim 8,wherein the generated message includes information that enables theintermediate network node to adjust when the intermediate network nodecan enter into or out of an energy saving mode.
 13. The first networknode of claim 8, wherein the generated message includes information thatenables the intermediate network node to adjust an amount of time thatthe intermediate network node can remain in an energy saving mode. 14.The first network node of claim 8, wherein the generated messageincludes information that enables the intermediate network node toadjust an energy efficiency feature of the intermediate network nodethat impacts a quality of service of application data communicatedbetween the first network node and the second network node.
 15. Amethod, comprising: receiving, by an intermediate network node, amessage generated by a first network node and having a second networknode as a destination, the generated message including one or moreenergy efficient networking parameters for use by an intermediatenetwork node along a path between the first network node and the secondnetwork node; and configuring, by the intermediate network node usingthe generated message, an energy saving operation of the intermediatenetwork node to accommodate application communication between the firstnetwork node and the second network node.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the configuring comprises enabling or disabling an energyefficiency feature of the intermediate network node.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the configuring comprises adjusting an energyefficiency feature of the intermediate network node that impacts latencyof application data communicated between the first network node and thesecond network node.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the configuringcomprises adjusting an amount of time for the intermediate network nodeto transition into or out of an energy saving mode.
 19. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the configuring comprises adjusting when theintermediate network node can enter into or exit from an energy savingmode.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the configuring comprisesadjusting an amount of time that the intermediate network node canremain in an energy saving mode.